ELON – Chandler Cuthrell scored a career-high 21 points to lead a balanced attack as the Elon men's basketball team opened its 2025-26 season with a dominant 99-51 win over Belmont Abbey on Wednesday night at Schar Center.
 
Cuthrell went 6-of-11 from the field and 7-of-7 from the free-throw line for the Phoenix (1-0), who shot 49% overall and hit 13 three-pointers. Ja'Juan Carr added 15 points, four rebounds and two steals, while Kacper Klaczek stuffed the stat sheet with 12 points, six rebounds and five assists. Freshman DeMarco Johnson chipped in 11 points and a team-leading six assists in his collegiate debut, and Randall Pettus II – who knocked down four 3-pointers – and Bryson Cokley had 12 points apiece.
 
Elon stormed out to a 64–24 halftime lead behind 59.5% shooting and 11 makes from deep in the opening 20 minutes. The Phoenix led by as many as 48 in the second half and forced 19 Belmont Abbey turnovers, converting them into 27 points.
 
The win was Elon's seventh straight in a home opener dating back to 2019-20.
 
Matas Piktuizis scored 10 points to pace the Crusaders, who shot 40% from the floor but just 5-of-24 from beyond the arc.
 
NOTABLES

• Eight of the 10 Phoenix to see the floor made their Elon debuts on Wednesday.
• Sophomore center Caleb Middleton nearly recorded a double-double with eight points and nine rebounds – including four on the offensive glass – in 21 minutes.
• Seven different Phoenix knocked down at least one 3-pointer.
• Redshirt sophomore Ned Hull played his first game since Nov. 9, 2024, returning from an injury that knocked him out for the majority of the 2024-25 campaign. Hull grabbed three rebounds and made one 3-pointer.
• Isaac Harrell contributed three steals – tied with Cokley for the team lead – despite going 0-for-3 from the floor.
• Elon tallied 15 of its 18 assists during its 64-point first half.

 
UP NEXT
The Phoenix will make the 20-mile drive to Greensboro to face UNCG on Saturday. Tipoff at Fleming Gymnasium is at 4 p.m. ET.
 
SUPPORT THE PHOENIX
Fans can support Elon Athletics through the Phoenix Club. To purchase 2025-26 season tickets, visit TicketMaster.com/ElonTickets.
 
STAY POSTED
For further coverage of Elon men's basketball, follow the Phoenix on X (@ElonMBasketball) and Instagram (@ElonMBasketball).